The Body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:12–31 NKJV

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

1. We have been given gifts to encourage one another.

1 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

the world is hard. there are many discouragements in the world and many hurts. the body of Christ is designed encourage one another.

This is where most Churches get stuck. Many Church members/ goers believe that the church is here Just for them. we are part of the church. the church is not part of us, like we are part of a health club.

we are here because christ died for us and we love Him.

we need to be a part of the body because we are designed to be a part of the body.

as a part of the body we are called to be part of the safety net for others.

2. It’s the Holy Spirit that directs the gifts, in the directing of our gifts, it is the Holy Spirit that ministers to the Family.

1 Corinthians 12:13–14 NKJV

13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

1 Corinthians 14:32 NKJV

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

the decisions to use the gifts God gave you is up to you.

Learning to develop those gifts is entirely up to you.

the need for your gift is not up to you.

3. Our gifts give us difference.

those differences allow us different functions.

I like to teach the word of God.

Deacon Raymond likes to feed people.

some people lead worship.

others serve through practical uses.